4 stars | A Place to Belong | Cynthia Kadohata | Grade 4 and Up
An American Japanese family leaves an internment camp, renounces their American citizenship and gets on a ship to go back to Japan. The parents and their two children discover the horrific conditions in the destroyed city of Hiroshima as they pass through on their way to the grandparent's poor country home. The grandparents are so happy to see their son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren again. But, life is very hard in Japan, and getting even enough rice to eat is difficult. The book takes the reader along as the family struggles for how to survive and what difficult choices they may have to make.
This book would be a great teacher or parent read-aloud for kids so that lots of discussions can take place. Adults should read it for insight into Japanese Internment history.
There is humor, heartbreak, joy, and sadness in this quiet and yet impactful novel. I want adults to read this book and then encourage kids to read it or read it to them. The cover and subject matter will not market to kids because this one needs some selling!
I am feeling inspired to promote middle-grade books through YouTube because of all of the people that inspire my reading from YouTube with their book reviews. So, give a listen and subscribe to my channel!
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